The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church eBook

Every faithful, earnest pastor, if he cannot
always have living, earnest and consecrated churches,
can have such seasons of refreshing from the presence
of the Lord. Every such pastor in looking back
over a reasonable period of service can point to such
precious seasons in his ministry. Such seasons
result in a growth of true Church life. The means
of Grace, after such revivals, are more diligently
and more prayerfully used than before. The Word
of God and prayer take their proper place in the home.
The church in the house is quickened into life and
activity. There is increased liberality in the
congregation. The pocket book is converted as
well as the heart. There is a revival of strict
honesty and truthfulness in all business affairs.
All tricks of trade, deceptions, imposing on ignorance,
short weights and measures, adulterations, making
money by betting, taking or giving chances of any
kind, everything in fact that is questionable,
if not openly dishonest, is abolished.

Worldly companionship, questionable amusements,
pleasures that draw the heart away from God, are avoided.
Religion is not only a Sunday garment, but a living
force that shows itself in every department of life.
The world takes knowledge of true converts
that they have been with Jesus and learned of Him.
Such are the results of a true revival. In such
we believe.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

CONCLUSION.

With this chapter we conclude our studies of
the Way of Salvation. They have been extended
much beyond our original purpose. As we remarked
in the beginning, we have written for plain people;
for those who, surrounded by all forms and varieties
of belief and unbelief, are often attacked, questioned
and perplexed as to their faith, and their reasons
for holding it. Our object has been to assist
our unpretentious people always to be ready to give
an answer to those who ask a reason for the hope that
is in them.

We also remarked in the beginning that there
often come to our people arrogant and self-righteous
persons, who say “the Lutheran Church has no
religion,” that it “does not bring its
members into the light,” and does not “believe
in or insist on personal salvation.”

Unfortunately there are only too many Lutherans
who do not know how to answer such bold and baseless
assertions. Sometimes they apologize for being
Lutherans, and timidly hope that they may find salvation
in their own Church! Many also have been persuaded
to abandon the Church and faith of their fathers to
find more light and religion elsewhere. After
having been wrought upon and strangely affected by
human and unscriptural methods, after they have experienced
some new sensations, they proclaim to the world that
now they have found the light which they could never
find in the Lutheran Church! And thus not a few
of our simple-minded and unreflecting people are led
to depart from the faith and follow strange delusions.